The Salvation Army’s Kahului Corps is setting the season in motion this Saturday at the Kahului Walmart, kicking off its annual Red Kettle and Angel Tree campaigns and a month of bell‑ringing and gift collection across Maui County. The launch also starts Angel Tree gift drives for keiki and kūpuna, with physical trees at stores and an online registry for those who prefer to click instead of wrap. Organizers note donations dropped in local kettles and given at the kickoff stay in Maui County to back services and programs close to home. Volunteers—from businesses to families—are invited to staff kettles or set up virtual kettles to widen the effort.
Kahului Kickoff and Local Impact
Captain Steven Howard, Maui County Coordinator and Kahului Corps officer, said the campaigns carry on a deep local tradition aimed at steady, year‑round needs. “This year marks 130 years of The Salvation Army’s service to the Maui community,” he told Maui Now, adding that the bell’s ring and Angel Tree tags are “opportunities to make real local impact year‑round.”
Where To Find Angel Trees And How They Work
Through November and December, Angel Trees will be set up at Walmart stores across Hawaiʻi and at select partner locations. Donors can grab a paper tag listing a child’s or senior’s wish list and return wrapped gifts to the collection point. Prefer to give online? The Salvation Army’s Walmart registries ship Angel Tree gifts directly to the local corps, with corporate partners outlining the November–December collection calendar, according to PR Newswire.
How To Help: Volunteers And Virtual Kettles
Individuals and businesses can sign up to ring bells or host a virtual Red Kettle. The Salvation Army uses the Register to Ring system for volunteer scheduling and virtual kettles. Prospective bell ringers and host organizations can register at Register to Ring, and in‑person tree locations plus online registry links are listed at AngelTreeHawaii.org.
Why Your Donation Matters
Every dollar collected at kettles on Maui supports food programs, case management, senior outreach, and other year‑round services in the county. More details about recipient qualification windows and local distribution are available from The Salvation Army.
